tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70237226921846169082024-03-13T01:26:19.249-07:00The Maxwell's Craft Room<center>We knit. We crochet. We sew. We scrap. We cut. We glue. We craft. We blog.</center>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-20868022615794301782010-09-06T15:27:00.000-07:002010-09-06T17:56:56.200-07:00The Montana Mei Tai© is Finished!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FINISHED PROJECT: THE MONTANA MEI TAI©</span></b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scandi Style Mei Tai Baby Carrier</span></i></b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i></b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I started this project back in January and actually finished the majority of it back in April. Well, today I put this finishing touches on The Montana Mei Tai© and it is officially a FINISHED PROJECT! All it needed was the tabs to attach the hood straps to the shoulder straps and the snaps on the hood straps. It turned out to be a bit more challenging than I had hoped - a universal needle was not up to the job of satin stitching through 800 layers of strap, batting, and what not. But I powered through and it's done, done, done!! </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVovO3T4GI/AAAAAAAAEY0/iSvevrbfTH8/s1600/P1010341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVovO3T4GI/AAAAAAAAEY0/iSvevrbfTH8/s400/P1010341.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Montana Mei Tai©</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Purple Batik Wacky Fabric©; Black Twill; Dark Purple Minky</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVo_wjVTwI/AAAAAAAAEY8/r4pr4RkQdlY/s1600/P1010342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVo_wjVTwI/AAAAAAAAEY8/r4pr4RkQdlY/s320/P1010342.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The waist and shoulder straps are 5" wide and padded strategically for a comfortable fit.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The shoulder straps are extra long to allow for my extra padding and to allow a larger number of ties. Some ties require longer straps. </span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpNt63fiI/AAAAAAAAEZE/4wNDA868EDo/s1600/P1010343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpNt63fiI/AAAAAAAAEZE/4wNDA868EDo/s400/P1010343.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can wear the waist belt down like it is shown here for toddlers, or fold it up for infants and smaller babies. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpX0KjOcI/AAAAAAAAEZM/j7gfVj-kSQI/s1600/P1010347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpX0KjOcI/AAAAAAAAEZM/j7gfVj-kSQI/s320/P1010347.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My 20 pound 14 month old in a Ruck style back carry with a Tibetan Tie</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpj0QVLOI/AAAAAAAAEZU/Cc0EOFlQJx4/s1600/P1010351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpj0QVLOI/AAAAAAAAEZU/Cc0EOFlQJx4/s320/P1010351.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The body is wide, so it gives good support. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpsrTjj2I/AAAAAAAAEZc/8lIrIPsleQk/s1600/P1010354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVpsrTjj2I/AAAAAAAAEZc/8lIrIPsleQk/s320/P1010354.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A comfortable and ergonomic seat. Note how her knees are slightly higher than her bum. This is good babywearing posture!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVp7gRGnBI/AAAAAAAAEZk/xMZj1QXVZtI/s1600/P1010357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVp7gRGnBI/AAAAAAAAEZk/xMZj1QXVZtI/s320/P1010357.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A closer look at the Tibetan Tie.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVqAn7r91I/AAAAAAAAEZs/vYhzBizt2vU/s1600/P1010373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVqAn7r91I/AAAAAAAAEZs/vYhzBizt2vU/s400/P1010373.JPG" width="307" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Babywearing Rocks!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVqEmna-MI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/cnQt32Ye_3o/s1600/P1010377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/TIVqEmna-MI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/cnQt32Ye_3o/s400/P1010377.JPG" width="236" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My 30 pound 3 year old. Sullen but comfy!</span></i></div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-36391460729174842272010-05-23T22:50:00.000-07:002010-05-23T22:50:19.208-07:00Diaper Making: The Maiden Voyage<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MAKE YOUR OWN CLOTH DIAPERS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Next To Nothing!</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You may be wondering why I would ever need to make my own cloth diapers. I have a more than ample stash of wonderful pocket diapers and all-in-one diapers for both of my girls. Well, it appears that Rowan has developed a sensitivity to the PUL which covers the outer on most of our diapers. In an effort to save her poor </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">little</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> chunky monkey legs, I decided to try to make a cotton fitted diaper with a fleece soaker (aka diaper cover). I was really pleased with the results and plan to make more in the near future.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I found a wonderful website called </span><a href="http://fernandfaerie.com/frugaldiapering.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frugal Diaper Making</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and used their instructions for creating a Pocket Fitted cloth diaper. I used 2 old T-shirts, some scrap velcro, and a bit of elastic - total out of pocket cost: ~ $1. The hardest part was transcribing their pattern onto some quilting grid. The actual cutting of fabric and sewing of diaper took me less than an hour. The body of the diaper consists of 4 layers of cotton and the inserts each have 4 layers as well, so with both inserts in there are 12 layers of absorbent cotton to get the job done.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOEg2OkSI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yRFByagsSR0/s1600/P1010051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOEg2OkSI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yRFByagsSR0/s400/P1010051.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Frugal Pocket Fitted - Size Medium</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOTB_vQ9I/AAAAAAAAEAk/GeqB-kXlivQ/s1600/P1010053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOTB_vQ9I/AAAAAAAAEAk/GeqB-kXlivQ/s400/P1010053.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Fitted Diaper and 2 Matching Inserts for Customizable Absorbency</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOeeI44vI/AAAAAAAAEAs/I_afwaEV4bc/s1600/P1010054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOeeI44vI/AAAAAAAAEAs/I_afwaEV4bc/s400/P1010054.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Pocket is in the front of the diaper. Here you see it stuffed with both inserts.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOnpt2TFI/AAAAAAAAEA0/VWi43KNC1xg/s1600/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOnpt2TFI/AAAAAAAAEA0/VWi43KNC1xg/s400/P1010056.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Laundry Tabs to attach the velcro to so it doesn't stick to everything else in the wash cycle.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOvzSOC3I/AAAAAAAAEA8/ehXivc9jXSw/s1600/P1010058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oOvzSOC3I/AAAAAAAAEA8/ehXivc9jXSw/s400/P1010058.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Frugal Pocket Fitted in action. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also made her a Soaker out of remnant fleece from <a href="http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-soaker-pattern.html">Katrina's Free Soaker Pattern</a>. She has free patterns for Wool and Fleece Soakers and Longies on her blog. Easy to print out and comes in many sizes. Total cost: ~$1. It took me about 45 minutes to cut out and sew up this Fleece Soaker with an extra layer in the wet zone. Do you love that the contrasting pink thread matches the thread from the diaper? The fleece is both water resistant and breathable, so it will keep the wetness inside while allowing her bum to get good air circulation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oQ3TxCiRI/AAAAAAAAEBM/-KDxWC4VTcw/s1600/Photo+84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oQ3TxCiRI/AAAAAAAAEBM/-KDxWC4VTcw/s400/Photo+84.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Fleece Soaker - Size Medium</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oO4auLbpI/AAAAAAAAEBE/yFhh3D4_GIA/s1600/P1010060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S_oO4auLbpI/AAAAAAAAEBE/yFhh3D4_GIA/s400/P1010060.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Fleece Soaker in action.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These items were very easy to sew, and quite economical as well. You could spend a bit of money and purchase new materials to make them with, or save a TON of money by using old t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, blankets, sheets, or whatever appropriate material you can find in the bottom of your closet or even on the freecycle list or at the thrift store. Flannel and bamboo would also make for wonderful fitted diapers. And you could always include a wicking layer of microfleece or suedecloth on the inner to help keep sensitive skin dryer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Frugal Diapering!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-40360864594497411662010-04-19T21:54:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:54:12.889-07:00I Almost FinishedMy sewing project is almost finished. A few minor details and the Montana Mei Tai will be done! Photo finish and editorial, I promise!Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-34637236257523886532010-03-03T20:11:00.000-08:002010-03-03T20:22:38.016-08:00Crafty UpdateI seem to have been insanely busy getting a whole lot of nothing done over the past few weeks! I am completely stalled out on all of my projects as a result. The Little Leg Warmers are waiting to be sewn. The Montana Mei Tai has padding in the straps, but still needs to be constructed. I hit 3 full size and 1 mini Tawashis and ran out of steam. Kid crafts have been on the back burner due to an insane Yo Gabba Gabba addiction and toddler defiance - and yes, mommy exhaustion.<br />
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Today we did start on a new collaborative craft. Ophelia helped by painting the stems and the material for the leaves. Tomorrow we are planning on painting the flowers, which I cut out and folded today. I will then construct the Toilet Paper Roll Daisies and post a picture of the finished product. And maybe even a tutorial, if I can get both hands free to blog a bit.<br />
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And to add to my never-ending list of projects, my mom just sent me a whole box of paper crafting supplies. Custom Cards, here we come!<br />
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Happy CraftingHeidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-55423887855660927882010-02-15T18:12:00.000-08:002010-02-15T18:55:41.157-08:00Lot's of Lexi's Little Leg warmers<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">LITTLE LEG WARMERS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you've never seen baby leg warmers, you are in for a treat! We are great leg warmer enthusiasts in this house: both of our girls are wearing leg warmers on most days - even in the summer time. They are a great layering item in the winter - keeping little legs warm when those pant legs ride up, a cute and practical alternative to tights, they help keep baby socks ON, they protect delicate knees from hard floors and rug burns when crawling and learning to walk, they make diaper changes and potty training a breeze, and they are a great way to keep sun off of that precious baby skin in the summer time. And did I mention cute? SO darn cute!! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3n7dxw-S2I/AAAAAAAADg0/zrjMi6TuWIM/s1600-h/P1010044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3n7dxw-S2I/AAAAAAAADg0/zrjMi6TuWIM/s400/P1010044.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ophelia, 11 months, Bumblebee Babylegs</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The original baby leg warmers are </span><a href="http://www.babylegs.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BabyLegs</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. And they are a fantastic, well made product. You can get them at any number of online stores and in an incredible array of cute colors and prints. We have a small fortune in BabyLegs in our baby drawers around here. That's because they run from $12 to $15 a pair. Yikes! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So what is a tiny fashion plate to do, not to mention TWO tiny fashion plates? My friend Lexi figured it out. She turned some inexpensive, yet very cute, knee socks into Little Leg Warmers. She even wrote a tutorial on her blog: </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1266283913569"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">L</span></span></a><a href="http://fullofknitstitches.blogspot.com/2010/01/little-leg-warmers-in-six-easy-steps.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ittle Leg Warmers in Six Easy Steps</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I got the tip off yesterday that Target was having a sale. And boy did I take advantage. I bought 17 pairs of knee socks for less than the cost of 4 pairs of Babylegs. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oEvl3TNOI/AAAAAAAADg8/tQFN57hdxYc/s1600-h/P1010590_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oEvl3TNOI/AAAAAAAADg8/tQFN57hdxYc/s400/P1010590_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The whole stack of wonderful socks!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFDpFgHXI/AAAAAAAADhE/fMw-sCeQYow/s1600-h/P1010582_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFDpFgHXI/AAAAAAAADhE/fMw-sCeQYow/s400/P1010582_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Blue for Twin Boys a friend of mine was just blessed with.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFW2MkkQI/AAAAAAAADhM/AGgTDiwJByY/s1600-h/P1010583_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFW2MkkQI/AAAAAAAADhM/AGgTDiwJByY/s400/P1010583_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Girls can wear blue too. 3 pairs for $5!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFvkXJAOI/AAAAAAAADhU/ex2McQEFTvA/s1600-h/P1010584_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oFvkXJAOI/AAAAAAAADhU/ex2McQEFTvA/s400/P1010584_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The purple set!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGFJvFclI/AAAAAAAADhc/d0Q7jqJAE5Q/s1600-h/P1010585_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGFJvFclI/AAAAAAAADhc/d0Q7jqJAE5Q/s400/P1010585_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>St. Paddy's Day Legs! These were a splurge at $5/pair.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGawONtRI/AAAAAAAADhk/loTMHPVlX1o/s1600-h/P1010586_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGawONtRI/AAAAAAAADhk/loTMHPVlX1o/s400/P1010586_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Warm colors. And only $2 a pair.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGt5bTtnI/AAAAAAAADhs/ZmYQBBesU3Y/s1600-h/P1010588_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3oGt5bTtnI/AAAAAAAADhs/ZmYQBBesU3Y/s400/P1010588_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Super soft argyle style. Middle of the road at $3.50 a pair.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My plan is to cut and pin them tonight and sew them over the next day or so. Stay tuned for a photo of the completed leg warmers.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-13692053162861409692010-02-15T14:39:00.000-08:002010-02-15T17:26:11.634-08:00Tawashi<div style="text-align: center;"><b>ACRYLIC TAWASHI</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's a Scrubbie!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will start off with an obligatory Tawashi joke: What is a Tawashi? It's a scrubbie tawashi things with! HA HA HA HA! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously, now. It really is just a basic scrubbie. The traditional Japanese Tawashis were made from hemp palm and resembled more of a brush than a scrubbie. A Tawashi can be anything from a loofah to a sponge to a ball of steel wool: if it fits in the palm of your hand and you can scrub (and therefor clean) things with it, it's a Tawashi. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I first saw these nifty little things on my friend <a href="http://fullofknitstitches.blogspot.com/2009/02/tawashi-love-and-give-away-too.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Lexi's blog: Full of Knit</span></a>. Here you can see a great list of reasons why Tawashis are Sugoi (that's 'great' in Japanese). She also promised to post a tutorial on how she made them, but she never did....so I was inspired to go out and find a free, fun, and easy pattern for one. And since Ophelia was looking over my shoulder while I was searching, I decided that my first one would be a Bath Tawashi for her. And here it is:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3nFHqQkXbI/AAAAAAAADgs/2BTRVXENFEY/s1600-h/P1010600_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3nFHqQkXbI/AAAAAAAADgs/2BTRVXENFEY/s400/P1010600_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pattern for this Tawashi is from <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/43848/how-to-crochet-a-tawashi/page/all"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">How to Crochet a Tawashi on CraftStylish</span></a>. I made this exactly as the pattern is written with the exception of using a single color yarn instead of three different colors. This was very easy to crochet, and while I can't say that I can make them at 'factory speeds', my goal of one a day for the next week is not outlandish. I used a Caron Dazzleaire acrylic/nylon blend in MULBERRY 2676 to make this one. It's soft enough to use on delicate skin and the pattern creates a nice texture that is great for exfoliating. And it is machine washable and dryable - so we can reuse these, unlike those plastic bath poofs or the dreaded kitchen sponges that need to be tossed out when they get funky.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can make them out of any yarn you have on hand. This is a great stash buster project, as it uses very little yarn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are a couple of lists of patterns for crocheted and knit scrubbies, dishcloths, and Tawashis:<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://arpelia.blogspot.com/2008/03/linkdump-collection-of-patterns-for.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Shh, I'm Counting: Linkdump</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/scrubbers.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Crochet Pattern Central: Scrubbers</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
Happy Crafting!</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-88435895977428536432010-02-14T22:04:00.000-08:002010-02-15T17:30:20.834-08:00Stack and Hack© Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">STACK AND HACK© TUTORIAL</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How to make your own Wacky Fabric©</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY~~</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This method of making Wacky Fabric© was shown to me by my mother. The first time I saw it, was on a quilt that she made for my daughter Ophelia. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MATERIALS:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At least 3 different color/patterned pieces of fabric that are the same size. Fat quarters are ideal for this, but you can use any size that you would like, as long as all of the fabric pieces are the same size.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quality thread</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sewing machine and basic sewing notions: bobbins, scissors, pins</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Iron and ironing board.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For this tutorial, I used 5 fat quarters in varying shades of purple batik. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 1</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Wash, dry, and press your fabric pieces.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 2</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Stack your fabric with right sides facing up and as evenly as possible. I like to line up the selvedge edges and then trim any uneven or raw edges so the fabric is all the same size and squared up. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jHu_XW6KI/AAAAAAAADeU/23eytlSlutQ/s1600-h/P1010582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jHu_XW6KI/AAAAAAAADeU/23eytlSlutQ/s400/P1010582.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fat quarters ready to be squared up. (No, you are not colorblind. I forgot to photograph the purple before making the first cut, so these green ones are standing in.)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 3</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Cut your fabric at an angle. Any angle but 90º. There is really no wrong way to do it. For this tutorial, I made my first cut lengthwise and approximately in the middle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 4</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Take the top piece of fabric from the right hand stack and move it to the bottom of the stack. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 5</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Taking the top piece from each stack, sew each fat quarter back together: Place right sides together, pin in place (or not, if you are wild like me), sew a straight seam with 1/4" to 3/8" seam allowance. I used a 3/8" seam allowance for this tutorial. Keep your pieces in order and oriented the same as when you started. I used the selvedge edge as my 'top' to help me with this. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jOfyMDLfI/AAAAAAAADec/cTYnzzn-UG8/s1600-h/P1010583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jOfyMDLfI/AAAAAAAADec/cTYnzzn-UG8/s400/P1010583.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fat quarter after first 'hack' and sewn back together.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 6</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Press seams open.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jT-F0zNyI/AAAAAAAADes/dPnpsiRxb7U/s1600-h/P1010585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jT-F0zNyI/AAAAAAAADes/dPnpsiRxb7U/s400/P1010585.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seam pressed open on wrong side of fabric.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Step 7</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: Re-stack your fabric so the edges are even and aligned. Again, make sure you keep the layers in the same order and oriented so the same side is always on the right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Repeat steps 3-7 until you get your desired result.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZQhkQEOI/AAAAAAAADe0/sWftIRUGhkk/s1600-h/P1010587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZQhkQEOI/AAAAAAAADe0/sWftIRUGhkk/s400/P1010587.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second cut made to the right of the first and at a different angle. Getting ready to make a third cut at yet another angle.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZhI8FXxI/AAAAAAAADe8/8C-qlJx4i2U/s1600-h/P1010588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZhI8FXxI/AAAAAAAADe8/8C-qlJx4i2U/s400/P1010588.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A fourth hack to the right of the second one and a fifth hack to the left of the third gives me six long sections.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZzK9an4I/AAAAAAAADfE/T6WWK0Bne9s/s1600-h/P1010589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jZzK9an4I/AAAAAAAADfE/T6WWK0Bne9s/s400/P1010589.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hacking in the opposite direction.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jaJrc769I/AAAAAAAADfM/aLpY1TKmgx4/s1600-h/P1010590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jaJrc769I/AAAAAAAADfM/aLpY1TKmgx4/s400/P1010590.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A second hack with the right side pile re-stacked.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jad64XK2I/AAAAAAAADfU/RoqwPQP02ws/s1600-h/P1010591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jad64XK2I/AAAAAAAADfU/RoqwPQP02ws/s400/P1010591.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A third hack with the right side pile re-stacked.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jawco3ukI/AAAAAAAADfc/WRmiAde3COg/s1600-h/P1010592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jawco3ukI/AAAAAAAADfc/WRmiAde3COg/s400/P1010592.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A fourth hack with the right side pile re-stacked.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jbAN43tgI/AAAAAAAADfk/Hkn0diKHDtE/s1600-h/P1010593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jbAN43tgI/AAAAAAAADfk/Hkn0diKHDtE/s400/P1010593.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Five "Wacky Fabric©" Fat Quarters: each is unique.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jbVGaRc0I/AAAAAAAADfs/gzpvg5OI5IQ/s1600-h/P1010594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jbVGaRc0I/AAAAAAAADfs/gzpvg5OI5IQ/s400/P1010594.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The new pieces are considerably smaller than the original Fat Quarters.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can now use your Wacky Fabric© any way you like. Sew four of the quarters together to make a larger piece that is the perfect size for a baby or lap quilt top. I used mine as a decorative fabric on the outside of my first </span><a href="http://themaxwellscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-project-montana-mei-tai.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Montana Mei Tai©</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remember, there is no wrong way to Stack and Hack. I made more hacks because I wanted a smaller scale to my pattern. You can make fewer hacks to achieve a larger scale.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are a few examples:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mgj3vfO2I/AAAAAAAADgc/oTt2AstoZH8/s1600-h/P1010597_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mgj3vfO2I/AAAAAAAADgc/oTt2AstoZH8/s400/P1010597_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quilt for Ophelia, made by my mom.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mgOZDJkXI/AAAAAAAADgU/Xvpg3wyWXfE/s1600-h/P1010596_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mgOZDJkXI/AAAAAAAADgU/Xvpg3wyWXfE/s400/P1010596_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quilt for Ophelia, made by Miss Viv</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mf2VmCC_I/AAAAAAAADgM/ATNtnAUQR7k/s1600-h/P1010595_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mf2VmCC_I/AAAAAAAADgM/ATNtnAUQR7k/s400/P1010595_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quilt for Rowan, made by Miss Viv</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">~~FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY~~</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy Crafting!</i></div></div></span></div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-51999038123001993082010-02-10T13:22:00.000-08:002010-02-10T13:22:04.136-08:00A Wristlet for My Sister<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wristlet with Lap Closure</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Flashback to December 2009. I was frantically sewing projects for Christmas presents: hats for my dad and brother in-law; soap socks, bag cozies, and scented sachets for our family gift swap, outfits for my girls. But what to make for my sister? She can be a tough one! I had gone to a very fun <a href="http://brookeschall.blogspot.com/2009/11/card-class-cards.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Cardmaking Class</span></a> in November and I had decided that I was going to gift the cards I made to her, but that just didn't seem like it was enough. Then I stumbled upon this great <a href="http://javajem.blogspot.com/2008/02/wristlet-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Wristlet Tutorial at Javajem Knits</span></a>. Perfect. And I had just enough fabric left over from a bag I had made for her! YAY! I didn't have a zipper on hand, so I modified the pattern slightly to make a lap closure on the wristlet. And I made it just the right size to fit those hand made cards into. So now she has a nice little 'card wallet' that she can keep in her matching shoulder bag. And when all of those cards are used up, she can use it to keep other junk in! Cute, and surprisingly easy. I used scrap fabric, lightweight fusible web scraps, and coordinating thread. Be sure to check out the links above to see the cool cards I made and also to see the entire tutorial on how to make one yourself!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3MiiEyOeqI/AAAAAAAADdw/QGfxkFK5pak/s1600-h/WristletG1209" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3MiiEyOeqI/AAAAAAAADdw/QGfxkFK5pak/s400/WristletG1209" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Crafting!</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-56222054822651903052010-01-30T16:30:00.000-08:002010-09-06T17:39:58.588-07:00New Project: Montana Mei Tai©<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE MONTANA MEI TAI©</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scandi Style Mei Tai Baby Carrier</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After scouring the interwebs for a free pattern and not finding exactly what I am looking for anywhere, I have created a body and hood pattern of my liking by cobbling together bits and pieces and details from several different sources as well as a few bits of my own design. The shape of the body and hood is mostly inspired by the </span><a href="http://www.taitasi.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=b6ed4bc0e287a8ae5105d02c42aa0ecb"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taitasi Meitai</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - a traditional Scandinavian carrier made in Norway that is not only beautiful, but VERY pricey. The method of construction has elements from a widely used and widely loved </span><a href="http://scanditute.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scandi Mei Tai Tutorial</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and another great </span><a href="http://stilllearninglife.blogspot.com/2008/01/diy-hood-to-headrest-mei-tai-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DIY from Game of Life</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. I'm quite happy with how all these elements have come together to create what I am calling The Montana Mei Tai©.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I finished designing and drawing my pattern this afternoon and am anxiously awaiting the materials from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://Fabric.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fabric.com</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. I have 3 yards of black heavy weight brushed twill and a yard of purple Minky fleece on it's way! The twill will be for the shoulder and waist straps as well as for the main support in the body construction. The Minky is for a soft, plush lining. I have some really gorgeous purple batik prints that I am going to blend to create the outside of the carrier and a boatload of fleece that I will use as batting to pad the shoulder and waist straps as well as the body of the carrier. This particular carrier is intended to be a 'cool weather' carrier - seeing as how it will be insulated. When this one is completed, I have plans for a non-insulated 'warm weather' version as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am very excited about this project! Stay tuned for updates. I hope to complete this within 2 weeks, depending on when my material arrives and how much 'hands free' time my girls allow me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Feb 4th update</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: The fabric has arrived!! Now to wash it and cut all of the pieces...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Feb 10th update</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: I have washed and pressed all of my fabric. I am in the process of making some"Wacky Fabric©" out of my batiks: this will be the decorative fabric used for the outside of the Mei Tai. Stay tuned for more updates and a "Stack and Hack©" tutorial for making the Wacky Fabric©. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Edit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: I have changed Stack and Whack to "Stack and Hack©" (for now), as "Stack-n-Whack" is a trademarked method of making a magic kaleidoscope quilting square. You can read more about it here: </span></span><a href="http://www.bethanyreynolds.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stack-n-Whack</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. My method is a bit different. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Feb 14th update</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">: All of my fabric is cut and pressed. The hood is 95% completed. I only need to close the hole where I turned the fabric and add quilting ties to the decorative side. And, of course, attach it to the body. Here is a sneak peak:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3i7BxK24fI/AAAAAAAADeE/u69w1dVn0UI/s1600-h/P1010596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3i7BxK24fI/AAAAAAAADeE/u69w1dVn0UI/s400/P1010596.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hood before top-stitching.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3i7Oqqn9yI/AAAAAAAADeM/uwVy-ebBYEA/s1600-h/P1010595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3i7Oqqn9yI/AAAAAAAADeM/uwVy-ebBYEA/s400/P1010595.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Applique.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mhxCs4xmI/AAAAAAAADgk/i2GDkbdyhl8/s1600-h/P1010598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3mhxCs4xmI/AAAAAAAADgk/i2GDkbdyhl8/s400/P1010598.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Body: decorative panel - made from Wacky Fabric©</span></i><br />
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</i></div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-22641286956154967162010-01-22T22:19:00.000-08:002010-01-23T09:55:15.739-08:00The Butterfly HatToday's project was a quick hat for Ophelia. I found this pattern at <a href="http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2009/06/olivias-butterfly.html?showComment=1264220086604_AIe9_BE1jAoI1moFeZWcrYBdrnpQcvximmGJ1jiCS9ePi5TR7YJ0Z8oh2Lii8kDtvrq9Qp-kBlboPTWrBYT02eiae_u2YkfFOG4WQoA9-up5xJ67um13vdvbramYEArvvt6TeofSTkscgSsiSmtVJ3dw0tl74OPIKjU-5ZLzXqjsBCVR2Q9lY6jAYQU9yE7H1u5rB-8PSIF5r-qrzAL2s6hyqFm63db3UmDR4MvRjE1NXLaqCdP1qw8#c2406902892743353101">Vallieskids</a> and it's called <a href="http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2009/06/olivias-butterfly.html?showComment=1264220086604_AIe9_BE1jAoI1moFeZWcrYBdrnpQcvximmGJ1jiCS9ePi5TR7YJ0Z8oh2Lii8kDtvrq9Qp-kBlboPTWrBYT02eiae_u2YkfFOG4WQoA9-up5xJ67um13vdvbramYEArvvt6TeofSTkscgSsiSmtVJ3dw0tl74OPIKjU-5ZLzXqjsBCVR2Q9lY6jAYQU9yE7H1u5rB-8PSIF5r-qrzAL2s6hyqFm63db3UmDR4MvRjE1NXLaqCdP1qw8#c2406902892743353101">Olivia's Butterfly</a>.<br />
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</div>More scrap yarn and my J hook made this an easy afternoon project. The yarn is a mauve colored worsted weight acrylic that has a bit of sparkle woven into it. I knit this to pattern with the exception of the 'body' of the butterfly. The pattern called for one stitch to create the body, but I used 5 to give it a fatter body. I can't wait to see the look on Ophelia's face when she finds this at her place at the table in the morning. I will post another picture of her wearing it tomorrow!<br />
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Update: She loves it! She's been wearing it since she got it this morning!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S1s38i1BFXI/AAAAAAAADbo/0U8_EaneTao/s1600-h/P1010559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S1s38i1BFXI/AAAAAAAADbo/0U8_EaneTao/s400/P1010559.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-31454991388218145332010-01-22T21:54:00.000-08:002010-02-14T22:19:11.508-08:00Happy Birthday Dad!I know how much my dad loves his hats. I made him a '4-pack' of fleece hats for Christmas. For his birthday last week, I made him a scarf and hat to match. I thought he might like something slightly dressier for wearing to work.<br />
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</div>Once again, I dipped into my scrap bin for yarn. This is a charcoal grey and black blended yarn. It is quite soft and has a lovely knobby texture. The scarf was knit in garter stitch with size 13 needles. It is approximately 6 inches wide and 4 feet long. The hat is another go at <a href="http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2010/01/flap-dash-hat.html">The Flap Dash</a> hat from Simple Knits. I added two increase rows then continued in half double crochet instead of double crochet to finish the body of the hat. I made the ear flaps 20 stitches apart along the back of the hat and I added an additional 5 chain to the ties. Hope he likes them!<br />
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<b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: I think he likes them!!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jnIeVLb5I/AAAAAAAADf8/Iu6yl6wAqv4/s1600-h/20663_1328854511173_1525285982_862608_4289229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S3jnIeVLb5I/AAAAAAAADf8/Iu6yl6wAqv4/s400/20663_1328854511173_1525285982_862608_4289229_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-1984822050930358922010-01-22T21:36:00.000-08:002010-01-22T21:36:40.324-08:00The Flap Dash HatI found this pattern at <a href="http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2010/01/flap-dash-hat.html">Simple Knits</a>. It's a super simple ear flap hat that you can whip up "in a dash." The ear flaps are simple shells that are crocheted right in pattern without breaking the yarn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S1qHu0JFaXI/AAAAAAAADbI/ccFym3s0xK4/s1600-h/P1010538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S1qHu0JFaXI/AAAAAAAADbI/ccFym3s0xK4/s400/P1010538.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I made both hats from a ball of purple and green variegated worsted weight acrylic that I had in the scrap bin. I made the first one (on the right) exactly as the pattern was written. I intended it to be for Ophelia, but it ended up being perfect for Rowan (6 months). I love how the yarn came together to give it a sort of swirl pattern. The second one, I added one additional increase row and it was perfect for Ophelia (2.5 years).<br />
</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-54699112518608346002010-01-14T13:24:00.000-08:002010-01-14T13:53:03.186-08:00Homemade Play Dough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JbI-GInI/AAAAAAAADZg/6u-mnWAJ8iA/s1600-h/103_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JbI-GInI/AAAAAAAADZg/6u-mnWAJ8iA/s320/103_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday Ophelia and I made a big batch of Play Dough. Well, it was really four small batches. Here is how we did it!<br />
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<b>The Recipe</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups Flour<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup Salt<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 T Vegetable Oil<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">6 t Cream of Tartar<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups Colored Water<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Instructions</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Combine all ingredients.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whisk until smooth.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cook over medium heat until dough forms.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Knead dough until smooth (30 - 60 seconds)<br />
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</div>I decided that it would be more fun, and perhaps more manageable to cook, if we split this recipe into four parts and made four different colors. We chose purple, green, blue, and orange. I set out four bowls and did the math real quick. I measured and Ophelia dumped each ingredient into its own bowl. Then we mixed up four half cups of colored water and Ophelia got to pour those into the bowls too. IMPORTANT: You definitely need to color the water before you add it to the rest of the ingredients or you will not get even coloration of your dough! I let Ophelia stir each bowl up as best she could then I whisked each batch smooth. I sure wish I had been able to get pictures of this part, as we had a great time and made a great mess! But since Rowan was helping too, I didn't have a free hand for the camera.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JAn3FJMI/AAAAAAAADZI/x3Lds5YgUO8/s1600-h/103_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JAn3FJMI/AAAAAAAADZI/x3Lds5YgUO8/s200/103_0064.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JM1p6PJI/AAAAAAAADZQ/qLDFgbDcVB0/s1600-h/103_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JM1p6PJI/AAAAAAAADZQ/qLDFgbDcVB0/s200/103_0065.JPG" /></a>The mixes are made, now on to the cooking! I used a small sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly. In about 3-5 minutes, our goopy mix magically came together into a solid doughy pile. I removed it from the heat, scraped it onto my floured countertop with a silicone spatula, and kneaded it (gingerly now - it's still HOT!) for about 30 seconds or so until it was smooth and the consistency of, well, Play Dough! I washed out the pot, rinsed, and repeated for the other three colors. Presto Play Dough!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I allowed it to cool a bit before placing it into a plastic bag. If you leave it out in the open air it will dry out just like the name brand stuff.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JTIWcrgI/AAAAAAAADZY/nNTuyR5vtFY/s1600-h/103_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tjnthNeaEsw/S0-JTIWcrgI/AAAAAAAADZY/nNTuyR5vtFY/s200/103_0070.JPG" /></a>We played with it today and it is great! Works like the store bought version but better. It is quite soft and easy for little toddler hands to mold, but not so sticky that it sticks to everything. Easy to clean up too.<br />
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</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-19705577026378041452010-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:002010-01-22T21:09:51.487-08:00Fleece Hat and Pants: Buzzy Bees and SunflowersFinished Rowan's Pants and Hat set today! Here are a few quick shots. I'll take better photos of the finished product when I finish Ophelia's set!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finished Ophelia's set. Love these!<br />
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</div>Heidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023722692184616908.post-7407947762771333252010-01-10T11:32:00.000-08:002010-01-10T22:36:01.633-08:00A Blog for Sharing our Craft Projects and IdeasFrom knitting and crochet to sewing and scrapbooking. If we craft it, you will see it here.<br />
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My most recent project is sewing fleece yoga pants with matching hats for the girls. One set is completed and I have 3 more to go! All I need is a bit of free time - and that is hard to come by with two sick babies. <br />
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Other projects in the "To Do" list are: cloth wipes, cloth diapers, pee pads, fleece pants and vest for myself, a lap quilt, a knit hat for Rowan, and knit wrist bands for Ophelia. I am also designing a bag - sort of purse meets tote - that I hope to sew a prototype of sometime this month. <br />
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Some past projects include many many fleece hats, crocheted hats, crocheted dish rags, cloth baby wipes, cloth fitted diapers, a shoulder bag for my sister, a tote bag (which was my first sewing project and can be seen in the slideshow), shoulder bags for moms and toddlers alike, pumpkin carving (hey! that's crafty!), my ceramic pot from Arts on Fire, and handmade cards (check out My Neck of the Woods - it's in my crafty blog list). <br />
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You may also see some toddler art show up on this page! We have started doing daily crafts with Ophelia and we have had a few that are actually quite good! <br />
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Happy CraftingHeidi Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00739521456999762753noreply@blogger.com0